Motor-vehicle signal.



- B. A. MELVIN.

MOTOR VEHICLESIQNAL. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 20,1914- Patented Man28,1916. i

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1- Ben flfelvm B. A. MELVIN.

4 MOTOR VEHICLE SIGNAL.

APPLICATION H'LED IAN. 20. 19M.

awwwioz BenJZMewin 3% y BENJAMIN aliuntv'nv, or SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA.

Moron-VEHICLE SIGNAL.

Specification of Iietters Patent.

Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

Application filefld'anuary 20, 1914. Serial No. 813,277.

be advised of the intention of the operator desiring to turn the machinewith the: result that a casualty of any kind is avoided; Such signalsare usually'given by movements of the hand and arm and are not alwaysobservable particularly by the operator of a following vehicle.

The present invention provides a signal which is readily observable bothby day and night and which may be seen by the operator of a followingvehicle as well as by the driver of an approaching machine or vehicle,said signal being illuminated by night and embodying an electric lampwhich is in- .cluded in a circuit that is closed when the signal arm isthrown outward into signaling position.

The invention provides a signal ,of the character stated which may bereadily applied to any make or type of motor vehicle without requiringany change in the construction thereof, such signal enabling the signalarm to be moved vertically or hori zontally, as may be found mostadvantageous accordingto the nature of the vehicle to which the signalis to be fitted.

The invention consists of the novel features, details of constructionand combination of parts, which hereinafter will be more particularlyset forth. illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out inthe appended claim-.

Referrin to the drawings, forming a part of the specification. Figure 1is a detail view showing the application of the invention to anautomobile. Fig. 2 is a view showing the signal thrown into operativeposition for giving warning. FiQ. 3 is a. detail view brin ing out moreclearly the relation of the circuit closing means. Fig-{4 is a detailview of a signal arm sliowing' more ;clearly the means whereby he signalhead may be y the outer end of the arm 2 and is is attached to the frame6.

turned or adjusted according to the oirection of movement of the arm soas to present a flat side toward the bbserver. Fig. 5 is an enlargedView of a portion of the head and arm.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription, and indicated in all the views of the drawings, by the samereference characters.

The signal embodies a box or casing l which forms a housing for thecircuit closing means. An arm 2 ispivotally connected with the box, orcasing'l and has a rear extension 3 to which a contact 4 is attached andto which rear extension an operating wire or like part 5 is attached. Aframe 6 is arranged within the box 1 and the arm 2 is pivotallyconnected thereto. A pin 7 is supported at its ends by means of theframe 6 and the arm 2 which has its inner or rear end bifurcated ismounted upon the pin 7. A coil spring 8 is mounted upon the pin 7 andhas one end in engagement with the frame 6 and its opposite end inengagement with the arm 2, such spring serving normally to hold the arm2 in a position so as not to indicate danger. When the signal isoperated to give warning the arm 2- is moved against the tension of thespring 8 and when the force so exerted is released the spring 8 comesinto play and returns the arm 2 to normal position, that is, to aposition of safety. A head 9, having the general outline of the head ofan arrow,

adapted to be adjusted with reference to such arm so as to expose itsbroad side to the observer. The arm 2 is hollow and 'isformed in itsouter portion with parallel longitudinal slots 10 which are adapted toreceive the shank 10 of the head 9/ This shank 10 has secured to its endportion a clip 10 that iii turn engages a pin 10 arranged transverselyofthe arm 2. The sides of the head 9 may be finished in any manner and areusually provided with stripes of contrastingcolor. An opening is formedat the inner endof the head 9 to receive an electric lamp 11. Such lampis included in an electric circuit. the wires 12 of which passthroughthe arm 2 and enter the box 1. One of such wires is connected with thecontact 4 and the other wire is connected with a contact Iii-which Whenthe signal arm 2 is at the point of safety the lamp ch;- cuit is broken,but when such signal arrh s -.-currentfor supplying the lamp may bederived from any source.

' A stem 14 projects from the box 1 and preferably forms 'a part of theframe 6 a connection 20 serves to secure such tube thrown outward intosignaling position the lamp circuit, is closed bymeans of thecontact-41-engaging the contact 13. The electric and is hollow and longitudinallysplit to form clamp members which are adapted to be drawn together bymeans of a belt or like fastening 15. A ball 16 is ada ted to be grippedbetween the clamp mein ers of the stem 14, such ball having a shankwhich is adjustably connected with the stem 17 of a bracket 18 which isadapted to be secured to any convenientpart of the vehicle. .The severaladjustments of the connections 14, 16, 17 and 18 admit of adapting thesignal to any convenient location, so that the armmay be swung either ina vertical or horizontal lane.

A tu e 19 is connected with the box 1 and to the steering column 21 of amotor vehicle. The tube 19 ma be bent in any direction, so as to extendrom the box 1 to a convenient position within. reach of the operator.

A wire 22 passes through the tube 19and is attached to the extension 3of the arm 2 and such wire is made'fast to a hand piece 23 arranged totelescope Within the outer ending a notch 25 formed in a side of thetube 19. and in communication with a longitudinal slot 26 formed in suchtube. When the signal set by drawing the hand piece 23 outward in thetube 19 it be held in such position byturning the hand'piece to causethe stop 24 to enter the notch 25. When the hand piece is turned tobring the stop 24 in line with the longitudinal slot 26 the signal isautomatically returned to a l position of safety by the action of thespring 8 in the manner stated.

Erom the foregoing description, taken 1n connection with theaccompanying draw ings, the advantages of the construction and of themethod of-operation willbe readily apparent to those skilled in the artto-which; the invention appertains, and while I have described theprinciple of operation of the invention, together with the device whichI now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have itunderstood that the device shown is merely illustrative and that suchchanges may be made when desired as are within the scope of the claim appended hereto.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed asnew, is I A signalforvehicles comprising a lever pivoted intermediate its ends to astationary] portion of the vehicle, said leverhaving one' end portionprovided with a pair of parallel slots, a signal blade having arectangular shank portion slidably mounted in the slots means .forholding the shank portion stationary in the slots, said blade havingformed therein a circular opening, a lamp' carried by the slotted endportion of said lever 21 and means for swinging said lever.

In testimony whereof Iafiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

, v BENJAMIN A. MELVIN.

Witnesses:

ALBERT A. LUTENEGGER,- JOHN Q. ADA s,

Copies of this'patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents; Washington, 13.6.

arranged in the circular opening;

